Personal Care Products: A Non Toxic Shopping Guide

Ready to get rid of your toxic bath and body products, loaded with petrochemicals and hormone disruptors? This is our running list of our favorite bath and body items, including hair, oral, and intimate care.

For all of our buying guides, check out our Ultimate Toxin-Free Shopping Guide.

Deodorants

I’ve tested TONS. These are the ones that performed the best. We have an article on how to switch to natural deodorant if you’re struggling.

• Little Seed Farm Deodorant (plastic-free, cream, best performing in our opinion)
• Agent Nateur Deodorants (they NAILED the scents, bar)
  
• Earthley Detox Pit Mask (great for first timers, extra stinky people or when stressed)
• LA Salt Co 1400 Below Magnesium Oil

Soaps/Body Washes

• Organic Liquid Castile Soap by Vermont Soap (contains Aloe)
• Oatmeal and Honey Bar Soap (great for sensitive skin and babies)
• Little Seed Farm Soaps (our favorite Goat's Milk soap)
• Pure Sol Turmeric Body Sponge (toss your plastic loofah!!)
• Bubble & Bee Shower Gel (have not personally tried, but recommended by others)

Lotions

• Organic Ivy Ageless Body Dew (Body oil and butter hybrid designed for aging skin)
• Beauty from Bees Body Serum (a HUGE favorite)
• Chagrin Valley Shower Cocoa Butter Bar (lotion you apply in the shower)
• Earthley Magnesium Lotion (the creamiest magnesium we’ve found)
• Sky Organics Pure Shea Butter (single ingredient)
• Sky Organics Pure Mango Butter (single ingredient)
• HolyNaturals Body Butter, 4oz (very simple ingredients)
• Plant Therapy Organic Hydrosols (if you are on a mostly oil-based body care routine and are missing some hydration, spritz hydrosols on your skin before applying oils, butters or tallows)

Sunscreen

• Earth Harbor Eclipse Sunscreen (best for face)
• Beauty by Earth Mineral Sunscreen Spray (best for body)
• Earthley Sun Shield (NOT A TRUE SUNSCREEN, meant for general daily natural protection, not for a day out in the sun)
• Badger Sunscreen Sport, For Baby, Stick version (best for kids)
  

Oral Care

• Happy Tooth Toothpaste with micro (non-nano) Hydroxyapatite (Kids and Adults)
• Happy Tooth Mouthwash with micro (non-nano) Hydroxyapatite
• Dr. Brite Mouthwash (non-nano)
• Bubble & Bea Alkalizing Toothpaste (we like Peppermint!)
• TreeBird Pure Silk Eco Floss (glass container, zero waste, purchase refills here)

Hair

The haircare category is one of the hardest to navigate when it comes to truly non-toxic options. Most "natural" shampoos are saponified, which can leave behind a soap scum residue, especially if you have hard water. On the flip side, many "clean" marketed shampoos still contain less-than-ideal surfactants, and nearly all "clean" conditioners include quats (quaternary ammonium compounds) and harsh preservatives. Greenwashing is rampant—so be wary. Read our article on how this is usually one of the last categories we suggest you tackle.

This category is also highly personal and depends on several factors, including:
✔ Hair type & texture
✔ Climate & humidity
✔ Water hardness
✔ Hair length & color
✔ Skin sensitivities

Because of these variables, finding the perfect haircare routine can be extra challenging.

That said, don’t stress too much over this category. Most hair products are rinse-off, meaning they don’t deeply absorb into your skin and are generally less concerning in the grand scheme of non-toxic living (in our humble opinion).

At a minimum, we recommend avoiding synthetic fragrance and choosing better surfactants and quats (blog posts on this coming soon). Here are a few safer options that may work for you!

Shampoos & Conditioners

• 100% Pure Yuzu and Pomelo Glossing Shampoo (does contain japanese honeysuckle on our caution list)
• 100% Pure Yuzu and Pomelo Glossing Conditioner (does contain japanese honeysuckle on our caution list)
• Chagrin Valley Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse Concentrate (ACV can be used as a replacement to Hair Conditioner; read our Blog Post on how to properly use)
• Carina Organics Shampoo (not using a broad-spectrum preservative, however, brand claims they've done microbial testing for 3-year shelf life)
• Carina Organics Conditioner (not using a broad-spectrum preservative, however, brand claims they've done microbial testing for 3-year shelf life)
• Beauty from Bees Shampoo (their conditioner contains quats and is NOT clean, but shampoo is clean and works with hard water!) coming soon to Crunchy & Co

Hair Styling

• Yarok Hair Spray (does contain potassium sorbate on our caution list)
• Yarok Hair Mousse (does contain potassium sorbate on our caution list)
• Earthley Hair Butter
• Yarok Leave-in Conditioner (can be used as a heat protectant; does contain potassium sorbate on our caution list)
  
• Rahua Heat Protectant (for Heat Styling; note: does contain potassium sorbate on our caution list)
• Nuele Hair Serum / Heat Protectant (made of all oils, use sparingly)
• Plant Therapy Organic Rosemary Hydrosol (great for spritzing on hair before a blow-dry or blow-dry refresh)

Dry Shampoo

• Cleo & Coco Dry Shampoo

Hair Care/Growth

• Kate Blanc Organic Castor Oil (kit includes applicators)
• Evatasha Repair Hair Oil
• Evatasha Repair Hair Tonic
• Plant Therapy Organic Rosemary Hydrosol

Shower and Bath Water Filters

If you're struggling with clean hair products, the ingredients may not be reacting well with the contaminants and additives in your shower's tap water. This is particularly true if you have hard water. Sometimes people find that filtering their shower water can get rid of any hair issues they may be experiencing. It also helps those who battle with acne.

• Waterdrop Faucet Filter (NSF certified)
• Coolang Aqua Monster Shower Filter (NSF Certified)
• Weddell Duo Shower Filter (NSF Certified; easy to change filters)
• AquaBliss Shower Filter (we like this one because the price is accessible and it’s a multi-stage filtration system; don’t forget to keep up with the filters. We suggest you stock up or buy a bundle. UL certified which means they follow safety and quality standards, but doesn't necessarily test the effectiveness.)
• Aquasana Carbon and KDF Filtration (Tested to NSF/ANSI 177)
• Crystal Quest White Bath Tub Ball Water Filter

Intimate Care

• Tampon Tribe Organic Plastic-Free Tampons
• Rif Care Hemp and Organic Cotton Pads
• Probiotics feminine spray (for "down there", excellent for odor control and general vaginal health; also great for skin!)

For all of our buying guides, check out our Ultimate Toxin-Free Shopping Guide.